LSU Names April's Student-Athletes of the Month

BATON ROUGE - The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six LSU student-athletes for their academic achievements and community service for the month of April.

Each month, five student-athletes are recognized for their academic improvement, dedication and proven ability. In addition, one student-athlete is chosen through the CHAMPS Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.

Anderson, Hardnett and St. Julien are majoring in Sport Administration while Cunningham is majoring in Sport Administration with a concentration in Commerce. Hatcher is a General Studies major, and Jones is majoring in Engineering.

Jones earned the distinguished honor by participating in the Geaux Givers recruiting trip event with Port Allen Middle School, and she also organized the Zippity Zoo Fest event for the volleyball team. Jones and her teammates welcomed kids to the Baton Rouge Zoo and manned activity stations throughout the zoo.

Jones, an outside hitter, played an integral part in the volleyball team's 2010 season, helping the team capture its sixth straight SEC Western Division crown with a 25-5 record.

Anderson, a freshman from Duncanville, Texas, played in 20 of 21 games for the Tigers in the fall. Competing as a reserve midfielder, Anderson scored one goal against South Alabama in the season opener and recorded one assist in a 6-2 victory over Mississippi State.

Cunningham, a junior from Metairie, La., has made nine starts at first base and played in 16 games for the Tigers this season after transferring from Delgado Community College before the season. He is batting .171 and has scored four runs.

A sophomore from Baton Rouge, Hardnett is a reserve linebacker on the football team. He transferred from Northwestern State and did not participate for the Tigers during the 2010 season.

Hatcher, a junior from Delray Beach, Fla., made 11 starts at safety in 2010 and was third on the team in tackles with 63. He led the team in stops at Arkansas and posted back-to-back games with 10 tackles versus Ole Miss and the Razorbacks.

A sophomore from St. Martinville, La., St. Julien saw action in 11 games in 2010 and was a standout on special teams where he made seven tackles. He also recovered a fumble on a kickoff late in the game at Vanderbilt.

For putting forth extra effort in the classroom and community in addition to their rigorous academic and competition schedules, these six student-athletes will have their pictures displayed on the wall in the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.